Two mobile phone stores in Ealing Broadway shopping centre have introduced a ‘locked door’ policy in response to a rise in thefts across London linked to organised criminal gangs.
The branches, operated by O2 and Vodafone, now require customers to be granted entry by a member of staff or a security guard. The measure forms part of a broader response by mobile phone retailers to protect staff, customers and high-value stock amid an increase in thefts targeting stores across the capital.
A spokesperson for O2 confirmed the policy had been implemented recently at its Ealing Broadway location and other “selected stores” across London.
An O2 spokesperson told EALING.NEWS: “In response to a growing number of thefts at stores in certain areas, we have introduced a ‘locked door’ policy at a small proportion of our stores, including in Ealing Broadway. These stores remain fully open for our customers, and the only difference they will experience is that instead of opening the door themselves, it will be opened for them by a security guard.”
They added: “This decision has been taken to prioritise the safety of both our employees and our customers, as well as the security of our stock. We are working closely with law enforcement, and with other providers who are facing similar issues, to tackle this problem.”
Vodafone has introduced a similar locked-door policy at its own Ealing Broadway store.
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, a Vodafone spokesperson said: “Our Vodafone store in Ealing Broadway has been operating a closed door policy. Over the past four months, the telecoms sector has seen an alarming surge in aggressive robberies and attempted robberies in stores, particularly across London and the Southeast of England. In response the industry has implemented a variety of safety measures in some stores, including a locked door policy, to protect our retail staff and customers.”
They added: “These events can be accompanied by threats and violence, which can be both physically and psychologically harmful to our people, customers and those members of the public who are nearby. They can also cause severe disruption to our business operations whilst police secure the scene to conduct investigations.
“Violence of any kind against our employees and customers is completely unacceptable, and their safety is our utmost priority. In addition to working with other telecoms providers on this issue, we are keen to work with government and decision makers to discuss what further actions can be taken as a collective to address this growing issue.”
The shift towards limited entry reflects growing concern across the mobile retail sector and thefts carried out by groups targeting stores for smartphones and other expensive electronics.
The policy is not currently in place at other network providers in the shopping centre. EE and Three allow customers to enter its stores without the need for staff or security to open doors for them.
EALING.NEWS has reached out to Ealing Broadway shopping centre for comment.
